HC Deb 04 July 1904 vol 137 cc460-1
MAJOR SEELY (Isle of Wight)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now state by whose authority, and under what legal sanction, the Chinese labourers recently landed at Durban in Natal were confined in compounds, and locked in railway carriages, guarded by special police; by whose orders the police were detailed for this duty; and at whose charge they were maintained on this special duty?

MR. LYTTELTON

I am informed by the Acting-Governor of Natal that the Chinese were not placed in guarded compounds; they were conveyed straight from the ship to the train which took them to the Transvaal. I am to receive a report on the circumstances of the landing and despatch of these labourers by mail.

MAJOE SEELY

I have already twice asked this Question and obtained no Answer. I want to know under what Act, by what sanction of law, this confinement was done, and I respectfully press for an Answer.

MR. LYTTELTON

I have already answered that there was not a confinement.

MAJOR SEELY

There is no doubt that there was a confinement.

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! It is not in order to debate the Question.

MAJOR SEELY

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether the labourers were locked in carriages, which is a deprivation of liberty?

* MR. SPEAKER

I understand that the right hon. Gentleman has already answered the Question "whether he can now state by whose authority and under what legal sanction the Chinese labourers recently landed at Durban in Natal were confined in compounds."

SEVERAL OPPOSITION MEMBERS

And locked in railway carriages.

MR. LYTTELTON

I have already said there was no confinement in compounds. I have no information with regard to the carriages; but, as I have stated on more than one occasion, I am to receive a report on the subject.

MAJOR SEELY

Should not the information on a matter of this importance be communicated to the House by cable?

MR. LYTTELTON

I have not the slightest reason to believe that the Natal Government have done anything contrary to the law. I do not propose to satisfy myself, except in the manner I have already indicated.